Rick's on 5 in Wallingford caught illegally dumping waste

Rick's on 5 in Wallingford is being accused of illegally dumping grease and other harmful chemicals in the sewer (WFSB)

WALLINGFORD, CT (WFSB) -

One restaurant in Wallingford is accused of illegally dumping grease and other harmful chemicals into the sewer.

Ricks on 5, located on North Colony Road, serves breakfast and lunch. However, Duane Woodbury said he noticed something else taking place at the restaurant.

“I caught an employee dumping a five gallon bucket of what looked like chocolate water with white foam on it into the sewer grate,” Woodbury said.

On Wednesday, Woodbury said he was walking by the diner when he saw the illegal dumping of grease. On Thursday, Eyewitness News saw what appeared to be oil stains on the grate directly behind the restaurant.

“It’s a 165 feet from the river,” Woodbury said. “Whatever he dumped in there by the time I called the state and they showed up, that liquid was gone.”

Woodbury said his biggest concern is that the waste made its way down a brook and into the Quinnipiac River.

“This area has spent years trying to clean up the Quinnipiac River,” Woodbury said. “All of that stuff is going to go out to sea. You got grease and chemicals.”

The State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection told Eyewitness News they did receive a complaint – and told the owner that doing that type of dumping is illegal.

DEEP said the restaurant does have the proper containers for disposing of the liquid, but why they weren’t used is unclear. The state did have a contractor come in and clean the drain to ensure there would be no future backups.

“I just want to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Woodbury said.

DEEP said the local health department will ensure the restaurant complies with the law.

Eyewitness News tried visiting the restaurant for comment, however they were closed. Eyewitness News also did leave a message for them, but so far hasn’t heard back.

Technical Discussion

THE FINAL DAY OF SPRING… Some overnight cloud cover prevented temperatures this morning from going as cold as they could have, if the sky would’ve been clear. Now that they’re eroding, the rest of the day will be mostly sunny. After starting out in the 20s and low 30s, temperatures will peak in the upper 30s and lower 40s this afternoon – well below the average high of 49!

THE FINAL DAY OF SPRING… Some overnight cloud cover prevented temperatures this morning from going as cold as they could have, if the sky would’ve been clear. Now that they’re eroding, the rest of the day will be mostly sunny. After starting out in the 20s and low 30s, temperatures will peak in the upper 30s and lower 40s this afternoon – well below the average high of 49!

Technical Discussion

Monday will be bright and chilly. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s in inland sections and lower 40s along the shore. A cell of high pressure will move overhead, and then to the east of the region today and will be the dominating factor in the weather, thus promising the quieter spell.

Monday will be bright and chilly. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s in inland sections and lower 40s along the shore. A cell of high pressure will move overhead, and then to the east of the region today and will be the dominating factor in the weather, thus promising the quieter spell.